Hi! Thanks for the add. I have lurked for a a while but am registering today to ask for help in diagnosing my car! I'm stumped.

About the car: '82 240 with a '79 300D (NA) engine with a custom two-tank wvo kit with separate filters and a delayed purge to prevent diesel contamination. Last I checked compression was around 260-280 psi in all cylinders (it's an old engine).

I have rewired the glow plugs to run off a ford ignition solenoid and a push button. I have confirmed glow plugs are heating by removing them and shorting them to 12V. they also are all reading 12v when the button is pushed. Alternator is from a saab 900 rebuilt, rated to 120a, also wired with heavy gauge and I have not been experience charging issues.

The problem is the car tends to want to stall on idle and I have to pull the idle adjust to keep it running when coming to a stoplight or off the freeway. It can also smoke a lot at idle. Then a few days ago it died at a stop sign and I was unable to start it with the starter. cranking for 20 second intervals until the battery needed charging. I had been having intermittent starting issues for a while previously (hence the glow plug rewire), but this time I couldn't get it started at all. I was able to get it towed to my friends house.

I fully charged the battery (low from cranking when it stalled in the street). I installed a WOSPerformance gear reduction starter and rewired the starter to battery. I changed the fuel filter (my suspect for the dying on idle) and the air filter while I was at it. Still cranking no start. I cracked the injector lines and purged air until I saw fuel, closed them and still cranking no start. Took the battery to autozone and they confirmed it was good and fully charged.

I had a friend pull start with a tow strap and it started instantly in 2nd gear. I was able to drive it in stop and go utilizing the idle adjust to keep it from dying on idle. I drove 8 miles towards home and at high rpms it drives fine. Then it died in an intersection and I was unable to start it with the starter, just more cranking. My friend pull started it again and we towed it home. I fully charged the battery and still it cranks but no starting.

What are the potential causes for this strange condition? I suspect its wholly unrelated to the veggie oil setup, and am suspecting the fuel injection pump. I would appreciate any guidance. Thank you in advance!